SC stays execution of four Veerappan aides

The sandalwood smugglers' aides had moved the apex court after President Pranab Mukherjee rejected their mercy pleas on February 13.

The Supreme Court today stayed till further orders the execution of death sentence of four aides of sandalwood smuggler Veerappan, who were awarded capital punishment in 2004 for a landmine blast in Karnataka that left 22 police personnel dead.

The bench posted the matter for Wednesday.

"In the meantime, the execution of death sentence of four convicts shall remain stayed," a bench comprising Chief Justice Altamas Kabir and justices A R Dave and Vikramajit Sen said.

"Let the writ petition be heard day after tomorrow," it said.

The petition on behalf of the four convicts was filed by advocate Samik Narain, who was given the liberty to amend and rectify it after objections were raised on its maintainability by Attorney General G E Vahanvati who was asked to assist the court.